RELEASE DAY BLITZ: Unconditional Anthology

 

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Life isn't easy. Love is harder. Love cuts, love burns and sometimes love breaks.

But living a half-life, living with regrets, that’s no life at all. People say we’re broken, not like other people. Maybe that’s true—ability, disability—what’s in a word? So whatever the world throws at us, we won’t stop, we won’t crumble. When we love, we love hard. Love without limits. Unconditional is an Anthology from authors Stacey Wallace Benefiel, Jane Harvey-Berrick, Sarina Bowen, Mary Elizabeth, D.Hart, Amber L. Johnson, CJ Lyons, Lauren K. McKellar, Shay Savage, and Magan Vernon.

Crossing by Stacey Wallace Benefiel

He stole her lipstick…and her heart.

Twenty-year-old Dani Walker can’t believe her luck when she’s paired up with the gorgeous Liam Garrett as her Acting I scene partner – or when he ends up in her bed. Being a Plain Jane with a mouth on her hasn’t exactly served Dani well in the guy department. In fact, she’s had nothing but one night stands.

The Education of Caroline by Jane Havery-Berrick

Ten years after their first affair, Sebastian and Caroline meet again. Now a successful journalist, Caroline heads out to report from the front lines of the war in Afghanistan. Love is the last thing on her mind when she crosses paths with Marine Chief Sebastian Hunter.

Will this chance encounter reignite the erotic passion of their past, or will the hidden cost of war tear them apart again?

Falling From The Sky by Sarina Bowen

Until his accident, bad boy Hank “Hazardous” Lazarus had everything: a gorgeous girlfriend, a career as a freestyle snowboarder and a spot on the US Olympic team. Could he possibly meet the love of his life in the last place he ever wanted to go--the hospital?

True Love Way by Mary Elizabeth

Some days are brighter than others, but Penelope Finnel is invisible behind the colored lenses of her heart-shaped sunglasses. Dillon Decker hopes he is the cure to her madness. But when friend turns to lover, and lover turns to caretaker, how much can either of them tolerate before they’re swallowed whole?

Forgotten Treasures by D. Hart

Fate took away Baylor's past, giving her a second chance at life, but when faced with a choice to move forward, leave it buried, or follow her heart, she struggled with her basic need to survive and be loved. When she met Brandt, he gave her a reason to rebuild a life full of forgotten treasures.

Puddle Jumping by Amber L. Johnson

When it comes to love there’s no such thing as conventional.

Everyone thinks Colton Neely is special.Lilly Evans just thinks he’s fascinating.

Their friendship grows into love, even as Colton does not express it in words. But one decision threatens to break down the world that Lilly has tried so hard to integrate into and she must figure out if the relationship can survive if they are apart.

Lost In Shadows by CJ Lyons

A West Virginia mountain, the middle of a blizzard, killers on his trail…no place for a city boy like Lucky Cavanaugh, an ATF explosives specialist.

Out-manned, out-gunned and shot, he takes Forest Service Wildlife Biologist Vinnie Ryan hostage until he convinces her that he’s one of the good guys.

Vinnie heals not only his injuries but also his broken heart. But when they uncover a terrorist plot, Lucky is forced to choose between duty and passion, risking the life of the woman he loves in order to save the lives of thousands.

The Problem With Crazy by Lauren K. McKellar

When eighteen-year-old Kate’s father turns up drunk to graduation, she knows something is wrong—really wrong. What she doesn’t expect is a hereditary disease that will turn her life around.

The Problem With Crazy is a story about love and life—about overcoming obstacles, choosing to trust, and learning how to make the choices that will change your life forever.

Surviving Raine by Shay Savage

Isolated on a raft after their ship capsizes, an alcoholic death-match fighter and a young woman have to face the elements as well as their entwined pasts. Bastian can survive in the harshest environments, but can he survive Raine?

The Only One by Magan Vernon

Honor student, manager at the campus coffee shop, owner of an impressive sweater collection – Melanie Wilder has it all together. Then John “John Boy” Walden strolls into her life wearing nothing more than an impish grin and all-too-revealing loin cloth.

Soon, make-out sessions replace homework, lust triumphs over work. And to further crumble her perfect world, an unexpected phone call threatens to take away everything she’s worked for.

 

Thanks for dropping by!

~Leftie

BLOG TOUR: Released (Caged, Book 3) by Shay Savage

Liam & Tria’s gritty love story concludes in RELEASED!

AVAILABLE NOW

Released (Book Three) Caged Series

Amazon US || Amazon UK || Barnes & Noble || Kobo || iBooks

Blurb

Oblivion is a sweet, sweet place.

No pain. No disturbing thoughts of the past. No guilt from my recent actions.

Deep down, there is still a part of me that knows how screwed up I am. I don’t see a way out, not now. Tria’s gone, and the possibility of her forgiving me in my current state is exactly zero. I know I have to pull myself together, accept my responsibilities, and try to make amends, but I have no idea where to start.

No job. No apartment. I’m living on the streets with the other junkies. As little as I had to offer Tria before, I have nothing to give her now. The only way out is to come clean and tell Tria the truth about my past, but the idea of reliving the memories is so painful, I can’t think about it long enough to figure out a solution.

I’ve hit rock bottom, and I don’t even know which way is up any more.

Excerpt

(Warning: Graphic language)

I reached out and touched the edge of the pillow. It was insanely soft and warm. I stroked it, and images of Tria’s breasts crawled through my head, making me smile. I stroked my c*ck as I thought about her, but I couldn’t come.

I could hear a voice in the other room, but it didn’t concern me, so I didn’t move. Through heavy eyelids, I watched the piles of dirty laundry all over the floor. I found shapes of animals in the patterns, just like cloud pictures.

“The beans are gone.”

I rolled my head to the side and looked up at Krazy Katie’s face. I smiled and tried to say something, but my tongue wasn’t cooperating. I focused on her eyes as they stared down at me quizzically.

“Trains need an engineer,” Krazy Katie said.

“It’s okay,” I said. My tongue still felt weird, all numb and heavy. I twisted it around in my mouth, and it tickled my teeth. I blinked a couple of times before looking back at my neighbor. “I got the helm. I’m all good.”

Did trains have a helm, or was that just boats? I laughed.

Krazy Katie covered her eyes with one hand. I could see her chest rising and falling as she took long breaths. I started counting slowly in my head but quickly forgot the number.

“Left the station,” she said quietly. “No engineer. Kicked in the caboose. Nothing but tracks.”

She turned in slow motion, and I watched vapor trails of her dull blue T-shirt swirl around the room as she left. I heard the window slide shut and then silence.

“I’m all good,” I whispered.

There was no reply.

Even though my arms and legs were way too content to be bothered with moving, I shoved myself out of bed anyway. My rig was sitting on the kitchen table, all ready to go. I was still pretty high, but I could feel darkness closing in around me, and I didn’t want it.

I wanted warmth and happiness.

Plastic tube, arm slap, needle prick.

“Like a f*cking pro.”

I lay my head on the table as the fluid sensations rippled through me. Tria didn’t matter. She’d forgive me in time. In fact, she was probably already over it. How could she not be?

“I’m good. Really, I am.”

I was never one to lie to myself, but it was getting easier all the time.

Excerpt #2

I watched Yolanda walk out of the cage. Apparently, I kept looking in her direction too long. I took a blow to the head before I realized the fight had started.

I stumbled back, shook my head, and regained my footing. I raised my fists up in front of my face, and danced lightly on my toes, waiting for his next move. We circled slowly, jabbing but not finding our marks. My head swam again.

I needed to put an end to this. I needed to get it over with so I could take my winnings and get more smack. I had come down too hard and too fast. I had to get straight again.

I rushed him, striking out with my right and then my left. I took an elbow to the face, and felt my neck snap back.

The next thing I knew, I was on my back, and the guy was straddling my chest. I registered my head being thrown from side to side with punches, but I couldn’t focus enough to get him off me. I jabbed at his sides, but it was ineffective.

With my head spinning, I slammed my hand against the ground three times.

“Woo hoo!” The challenger jumped off of me and started running around the small cage.

I could hear cheers, boos, and people screaming at me, but I couldn’t comprehend the words. I rolled over and pushed myself up before stumbling out of the cage.

“Jesus, Liam!” Back in the locker room, Yolanda fussed around the cut over my eye and my bloody lip as I tried to push her hands away and get my jeans back on. “What the hell is wrong with you tonight?”

“Just forget it!” I yelled. “I need to get going.”

“Oh yeah? Why’s that? You got nothing waiting for you at home.”

I pulled my shoulders close together and bit down on the pad of my thumb. I didn’t remember telling Yolanda about Tria leaving, but apparently I had. I was afraid to open my mouth now. I tensed every muscle to keep myself from trembling. If Yolanda noticed, she’d figure out why.

If she figured it out, she’d stop me.

Is that such a bad thing?

Yes, most definitely.

I couldn’t risk it. I couldn’t have Yolanda knowing what I was doing and dragging me somewhere to clean up. She would take back the cash she’d just given me, and I’d be royally f*cked. I couldn’t let that happen.

“I gotta go,” I said again. I shouldered past her and out the door, ignoring her calls after me. I didn’t stop at the bar or acknowledge the fans around me as I left.

I took the cash I’d earned to Max and traded it for all the heroin I could get. I returned to my apartment and banged up.

Bliss.

Everything was perfect.

**ADDITIONAL EXCERPTS FROM

BOOK ONE & TWO ARE LOCATED HERE**

Review

RATING:

What a beautiful conclusion to Liam and Tria's story!

Tria was not around and Liam dealt with his pain and loss the easiest way he knew how. But all is not lost. There's hope, all because of Tria. Liam needed to do what he needed to do to do right by Tria.

Throughout the story, I just wanted to wrap Liam up in a constant hug. There is such defenselessness to Liam's thoughts and actions that I felt like my heart was getting squished the whole time. The self-deprecation and his sense of humor are still there but in this book, I also saw the fears and worries magnified. And to go thru the struggles to be a better man for Tria, how can anyone not fall for this broken boy, I ask ya!! 

Tria remains consistent and did not falter with her values and beliefs especially when it came to Liam. Thinking back to her age, I'm pretty sure I only had half her sensibilities. It shows why Liam did what he did for her. She deserved every single bit of it.

I'm letting you know that it felt there wasn't extreme high or low with this part of the series but you know what, it's all good. I thought it is anyways. The emotional ride it put me through was sufficient to keep me engaged the whole time. Was it what I was expecting? Not sure actually. From the 1st book in the series, I wasn't sure where Shay will take me with Liam and Tria's story but it didn't matter. I trust her writing. I trust that I will get something different; so I have no problem going in and just let her hold my hands, so to speak, blindfolded and all.

So for me, I just enjoyed Liam and Tria's ride, all seen from Liam's POV, and feel the emotions that that these kids went thru... sigh...

CAGED Series Reading Order

Takedown (Book One) Caged Series

Amazon US || Amazon UK || Barnes & Noble || Kobo || iBooks

Trapped (Book Two) Caged Series

Amazon US || Amazon UK || Barnes & Noble || Kobo || iBooks

Released (Book Three) Caged Series

Amazon US || Amazon UK || Barnes & Noble || Kobo || iBooks

About the Author:

Shay Savage lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her family and a variety of household pets. She is an accomplished public speaker, and holds the rank of Distinguished Toastmaster from Toastmasters International. When not writing, she enjoys science fiction movies, masquerading as a zombie, is a HUGE Star Wars fan, and member of the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers. When the geek fun runs out, she also loves soccer in any and all forms - especially the Columbus Crew, Arsenal and Bayern Munich - and anxiously awaits the 2014 World Cup. Savage holds a degree in psychology, and she brings a lot of that knowledge into the characters within her stories.

Stalk Shay Here: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

Signed Set of the Caged Series

a Rafflecopter giveaway

THANK YOU!

Thanks for dropping by!

~Leftie

BLOG TOUR: Unblocked- Episode 5 by Marni Mann

Amazon || B&N || iTunes

Blurb 

Derek Block needs to protect those he cares about.
Frankie Jordan fears the loss of those she loves.
Darkness drives them.
But could it drive them apart?
This is Episode Five, the final Episode in the Timber Towers Series.

Review

RATING:

The final installment to Derek and Frankie’s story… sigh… gonna miss them, for sure! Especially Derek… sigh…

This picks up right where Episode 4 ended. Everything is finally revealed, to Frankie, and the readers. It’s the culmination of all the work put in by Derek and his sister. It’s the final step for Derek to fully let Frankie in. It’s the solidification of this beautiful thing between Derek and Frankie, being there for each other thru thick and thin, fully embracing their connection and what they mean to each other.

“The roughness of his bushy beard matched the way he treated my body – always desirable, always fulfilling, but always with a need and urgency that was neither delicate nor tender.”

I appreciate the fact that Frankie, for all her questions, did not automatically go to that bad place and doubt Derek, which could have created drama just for the sake of drama. It shows maturity and trust, 2 of the foundations of a good relationship. I appreciate that Derek acknowledged the oversight on his part which led to appreciating Frankie even more. Frankie for all her sass and take charge attitude showed a really vulnerable side here, I thought, which Derek luckily knew how to cherish, just making me love Derek even more. Oh you dirty-talkin’ hunkalicious sweetheart you! *g*

Seriously, I will never look at flannel the same way again. And if that flannel comes bearded… well, then… LOL

Unblocked, Episode One Buy Links:

Amazon || Barnes & Noble || iTunes  

Unblocked, Episode Two Buy Links:

Amazon || Barnes & Noble || iTunes 

Unblocked, Episode Three Buy Links:

Amazon || Barnes & Noble || iTunes  

Unblocked, Episode Four Buy Links:

Amazon || Barnes & Noble || iTunes 

AND guess what! It will be available as a collection!!!

The Unblocked Collection Buy Links:

Amazon || Barnes & Noble  

Giveaway 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Find Marni HERE:

Facebook || Twitter || Instagram

Thanks for dropping by!

~Leftie

REVIEW: End of Day (Jack & Jill, Book 1) by Jewel E Ann

Meet Jack & Jill in End of Day by Jewel E Ann!  

Be sure to grab your copy of this uniquely dark and funny read at the following retailers:

Amazon US || Amazon UK || iTunes || Kobo

Blurb

Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life.

Four caskets. Two bodies.

Jessica and Jude Day witness their funeral and that of their parents a few yards away from mourning family and friends. Stripped of the only life they’ve ever known, the Days say goodbye to San Francisco forever.

Four months later, two thirty-year-old misfits with elite self-defense skills and penchants for alcohol, sex, and trouble arrive like an earthquake to Peaceful Woods, a retirement community in Omaha, Nebraska, that thrives on rules and gossip. Welcome home, Jackson and Jillian Knight.

Jackson celebrates his new beginning by embracing his job and wiping his cavalier past clean with a temporary oath of celibacy. But Jillian’s past is branded into her soul—the deaths, the insanity, Dr. Luke Jones, and the need to make her lovers bleed. Her chance for redemption comes in the form of a next door neighbor, one Senior Master Sergeant Monaghan. He’s sexy, dangerously alluring, and riddled with emotional issues from years of service. He’s also … So. Damn. Grumpy.

Their mission is simple: Let go, start over, don't kill anyone, and pray that nobody wakes the dead.

Via TRSOR

Review

RATING:

Seeing this is my 2nd Jewel read, I knew she would surprise me again with this one just like she did with my first read (Only Trick), and indeed she has!

Don’t mind me when I bring up my own failing and say that I didn’t realize that this is a series. And in doing so, I was confused and a tad emotional when I got to the ending. As well, I have to add that it wasn’t just because I realized only at the end that it’s a series but because the whole story made me feel that… in a good way.

Ok, I’m getting ahead of myself here. First of all, I want to acknowledge the cover. I think this is one of the more gorgeous ones I’ve seen in a while. Second, that blurb! I’m telling you, Jewel does well sucking me in with just her blurb. Third, with her story lines, so far, Jewel has managed to surprise me with the direction she takes things; I just know I’ll be reading something unique. With this story, I definitely got that.

With this story, I got something unique, yes, and it gave me romance, drama, humor, heartbreak, smexy times, suspense, and a whollota’ emotions… I just totally enjoyed the dynamics, whether between the MCs or with the side characters. The funny moments got me laughing out loud. The dark moments broke my heart. The unbridled attraction made me catch my breath a few times… a whollota’ emotions…

Where the confusion came in for me will be highly subjective. As far as the storyline is concerned, delving into the past more than I expected just made me lose focus on who to root for, and I didn’t quite like that. I’m simple that way. I can only root for one and when I’m forced to focus my attention elsewhere and make me care more than I want to for someone I wasn’t planning to, the feeling of enjoyment goes away a little. Weird, I know… Oh Jewel, what are you doing to me???... And the 3rd-person multiple POVs threw me off a little too. It might make a diff to some but not others. Again, like I said, highly subjective concerns.

Ultimately, Jewel’s writing is tight, witty and not patronizing at all, if that makes sense (which I hope it will, if you’ve read the book). The dialogues are reflective of real lives, or I think it is at least. I just know I will be continuing with this series, regardless of who the focus is and the outcome. Luckily, Jewel have mentioned that the 2nd book might be released earlier than anticipated. Yay!

Via TRSOR

About the Author

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under her belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the Contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree at a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course…heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Pinterest

Thanks for dropping by!

~Leftie

BLOG TOUR: End of Day by Jewel E Ann

Meet Jack & Jill in End of Day by Jewel E Ann!  

Be sure to grab your copy of this uniquely dark and funny read at the following retailers:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1TGxxgW

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1TGcu99

iTunes http://apple.co/1UEUj61

Kobo http://bit.ly/1JeJ1U6

Blurb

Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life.

Four caskets. Two bodies.

Jessica and Jude Day witness their funeral and that of their parents a few yards away from mourning family and friends. Stripped of the only life they’ve ever known, the Days say goodbye to San Francisco forever.

Four months later, two thirty-year-old misfits with elite self-defense skills and penchants for alcohol, sex, and trouble arrive like an earthquake to Peaceful Woods, a retirement community in Omaha, Nebraska, that thrives on rules and gossip. Welcome home, Jackson and Jillian Knight.

Jackson celebrates his new beginning by embracing his job and wiping his cavalier past clean with a temporary oath of celibacy. But Jillian’s past is branded into her soul—the deaths, the insanity, Dr. Luke Jones, and the need to make her lovers bleed. Her chance for redemption comes in the form of a next door neighbor, one Senior Master Sergeant Monaghan. He’s sexy, dangerously alluring, and riddled with emotional issues from years of service. He’s also … So. Damn. Grumpy.

Their mission is simple: Let go, start over, don't kill anyone, and pray that nobody wakes the dead.

Excerpt

“Have you ever killed anyone?”

Jessica’s smile slipped. “If I told you then I’d have to kill you.”

“So you’re a secret agent?”

She flipped onto her stomach, resting her chin on her crossed arms. “If I said yes then it would no longer be a secret. Come on, Jones, you’re losing your focus. Don’t let me feel smarter than you or our time together will be over and I rather like hanging out here.”

“Luke,” he corrected.

“Lucas.”

“Luke.”

“Lukey.”

“LUKE!”

“Lulu.”

“I mean it!” Luke showed another rare moment of teetering emotion.

Jessica chuckled. “What are the chances of us having sex? I’ve never done it missionary, but you could possibly counsel me through it.”

He refocused on his crossword puzzle, filling in a word in pen. “Less than zero percent.”

“So, not in my favor, eh?

“Why not missionary?”

Jessica smiled in delight that Luke continued with the topic of conversation. “I’m sure you already know, but if you want me to say I need control, then sure, I need control. But the truth is I’d control any sex position you want to put me in.” Jessica winked as Luke gave her a fleeting glance. “I just don’t want you thinking you have control, even if I know it’s not the case. Pisses me off to see the smirk on a guy’s face when he thinks he has control.”

“Tell me why you need control.” Luke continued with his crossword.

“In bed?”

“Yes.”

“Someone has to have it.”

“Why?”

“Because someone initiates it.”

“So if I initiate sex with you will I have control?”

“There’s only one way to find out.” Jessica wiggled her eyebrows at an ill-humored Luke.

About the Author

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under her belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the Contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree at a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course…heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Pinterest

GIVEAWAY

Maya Custom Design (by winner) Timbuk2 bag ($100 value)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

THANK YOU!

I think I've said this before already, but isn't that cover gorgeous???... 

Thanks for dropping by!

~Leftie